--She knew him all of her adult life. He was easily her
best friend, and had been for years; she would believe, without concern or second
guesses, anything he told her.

Until he uttered words totally beyond belief.

She would've thought he was joking, or playing a prank,
but the look on his face and the urgency in his tone indicated otherwise. Her
mind then wandered to his health. Maybe he had a fever, and was delirious. Or
perhaps he hit his head somehow, knocking him silly, warping his sense of
reality.

Either way, she was left utterly speechless.

"Say something."

With his request came the realization that she
hadn't responded to his statement since he'd made it, several minutes ago.

"I don't know what to say," she admitted, then
asked as she reached to touch his forehead, "Have you been feeling sick lately?
You know, the flu is going around-"

He caught her hand, stopping her from making
contact, and he smiled as he assured her, "I'm not sick."

"I know it's hard to understand, but it is quite real," he told her, finishing her
incomplete sentences. "How many years have you known me?" he asked
rhetorically. "Have I ever lied to
you?"

Starting to pace, she alternated between several
anxious actions; hugging herself, wiping her hand across her face, and running
her fingers through her hair. She felt lost.

"Is this your way of breaking up with me? Are you
trying to go for an insanity defense?"

"No, no," he assured her. "I don't want to break
up with you! Just the opposite," he confessed. Confusion and even fear was
clearly written into her expression as she looked back at him.

"If you're not looking for a way out, then why are
you doing this?" she asked, on the brink of tears.

Slowly, he stood, approaching her carefully.
"Please don't cry," he whispered. "I didn't tell you this to upset you. I told
you this, because, I love you. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you.
And you deserve to know. This is who I am."

"Who you are," she shot back, "Is a scared little
boy! If you're too afraid to be in a real relationship, then don't be in one!"
She tried to turn away, but he reached out to stop her, wrapping his arms
around her.

At first, she tried to look away, but something
caught her attention. Something, deep in his eyes, she never noticed before.
She found herself drawn to it, staring into the blue depths intently.

It was as if she was watching a series of home
movie clips, playing out in his eyes. The intensity of emotion scared her, and
she quickly turned away, stepping away from him; her head was spinning.

"Don't be afraid," he told her. "It's not frightening,
it's wonderful. And I can show you, if you want me to."

"Show me what?"
she asked skeptically.

"The magic of it all," he returned with a smile.
"Let me share this with you, Monica," Chandler asked softly. "Let me show you
the truth about who I am."

He extended his hand, reaching out for her to take
it, smiling reassuringly; he could see her shaking as she cautiously set her
hand in his.

The apartment was instantly bathed in a warm glow,
with glitters of light flashing around them, before everything but the two of
them began swirling, like a whirlpool of watercolors; it was amazing and
unnerving, all at the same time…

TO
BE CONTINUED…

Please review!

MTLBYAKY

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